Monday, July 09, 2007

Jason Dore reported killed in Iraq

A soldier from western Maine died from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb, becoming the third soldier from the state to die in a month, officials said Monday.

Army Pfc. Jason Dore, 25, was eight months into his first tour of duty in Iraq when he was injured while on patrol in a Humvee, said Tim Cates, Dore's uncle. He died Sunday at a hospital in Baghdad.

Dore, who joined the Army in 2005, attended Upper Kennebec Valley High School in Bingham before graduating from the Job Corps in Bangor. While growing in the Moscow area, he enjoyed being outdoors and fishing at Hunter's Pond in Bingham, Cates said.

"He was was just a great kid. He was extremely proud of his service," he said.

Gov. John Baldacci said Monday he had spoken to Dore's family, including his mother, Gail Dore, in Moscow. Dore's father, Jody Dore, lives in North Anson. Dore also left behind a 15-year-old brother, Logan French, who lives with his mother.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of this promising young man," Baldacci said. "The family is really suffering from this tremendous loss. We will do everything we can to stand with them and support them during this very difficult time."

Flags will be ordered flown at half-staff on the day of Dore's funeral. On Monday, family members had not yet begun making arrangements, Cates said.

Dore was the second Mainer from the 1st Cavalry Division to be killed in Iraq in less than a month. Army Sgt. Joel A. House, 22, died June 23 from wounds sustained in a roadside bomb attack in Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad.